Manali, Oct 10,
High above the Beas valley, in the quiet hamlet of Koti near Manali, a modest tea shop hides a story of extraordinary endurance and pride. Behind its counter stands Tenzin Dolma, a self-trained ultra runner who carried the Indian flag to the World Mountain Trail Running Championship in Spain this year — as the only woman from India to participate.
Her small eatery, often visited by travelers en route to Rohtang Pass, is lined with medals that reflect years of perseverance. Dolma has won over 15 medals in some of the country’s toughest endurance events — from the Silk Route Ultra in Ladakh to the Snow Marathon in Lahaul — yet she calls representing India at the world championship her “biggest victory.”
“It was my childhood dream to represent the nation,” she said, recalling the emotional moment she stood among athletes from 73 countries. “When I saw the tricolor among so many national flags, I felt I had already achieved something greater than winning.”
Dolma competed in the 44 km category, finishing among the top 100 women runners in a grueling race that saw nearly 35 percent of participants unable to finish. “The trail was brutal — steep, rocky, and endless,” she shared. “But what made it harder was knowing that we had no team stall, no physio, no support crew — unlike most other countries. Only four or five nations didn’t have team setups, and India was sadly one of them.”
Her determination, however, outpaced every limitation. With no financial aid from either the state or central government, she managed her participation through personal savings and help from friends and relatives. “The State government did issue a letter of support,” Dolma said, “but there was no financial assistance. I had to borrow and manage everything on my own.”
Training between long workdays at her small tea shop, Dolma’s journey is one of sheer resilience. Her mornings begin with uphill runs before she returns to serve tea to visitors heading toward the snowbound Rohtang. Yet, she remains undeterred. “Running is freedom,” she smiled. “It connects me to the mountains — and to myself.”
Looking ahead, Dolma will also represent India at the Asian Ocean Championship in Bangkok on November 22, competing in the 100 km category, a challenge that promises to push her limits even further.
Her story goes beyond personal triumph — it highlights the unseen challenges faced by countless athletes from rural India who pursue excellence without backing or recognition. Dolma’s effort stands as a testament to courage born in the mountains and nurtured by self-belief.
As dusk settles over Koti and travelers pause at her humble shop, the medals on her wall shimmer in the fading light — symbols not of privilege, but perseverance. “All I wish,” Dolma said quietly, “is that one day, athletes like me won’t have to struggle for support to represent our country. We run for India — all we ask is for India to stand with us.”
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